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Rule: EC2 Instances Should Not Have a Public IP Address

This rule ensures that EC2 instances do not have public IP addresses for enhanced security.

RuleEC2 instances should not have a public IP address
FrameworkCISA-cyber-essentials
Severity
High

Rule Description

EC2 instances should not have a public IP address for CISA Cyber Essentials. This rule is enforced to minimize exposure to external threats by restricting direct access to EC2 instances from the internet.

Reasoning

Having EC2 instances with public IP addresses poses a security risk as it allows direct access to the instances over the internet. This increases the attack surface and opens up the potential for unauthorized access or exploitation. By disabling public IP addresses for EC2 instances, the attack vectors are significantly reduced, limiting the potential impact of security breaches.

Troubleshooting Steps

If you encounter instances with public IP addresses when this rule is enforced, follow these troubleshooting steps to rectify the issue:

  1. 1.

    Identify the EC2 instances with public IP addresses. This can be done by navigating to the EC2 console and selecting the "Instances" section. Look for instances with public IP addresses listed.

  2. 2.

    Verify if the instances actually require a public IP. In some cases, EC2 instances may need to communicate with the internet for specific tasks. If the instances do require public access, evaluate the necessity and consider alternatives such as using a NAT gateway or accessing the instance through a bastion host.

  3. 3.

    If the instances do not require public access, proceed with disabling or removing the public IP addresses.

Required Configuration

To ensure EC2 instances do not have a public IP address, follow these steps:

  1. 1.

    Identify the target EC2 instances that require changes.

  2. 2.

    Connect to the AWS Management Console and navigate to the EC2 service.

  3. 3.

    Select the desired EC2 instance from the list.

  4. 4.

    In the instance details pane, locate the "IPv4 Public IP" field and note the public IP address (if any).

  5. 5.

    Open the context menu for the instance and choose the "Actions" button.

  6. 6.

    From the dropdown menu, select "Networking" and then click on "Manage IP Addresses".

  7. 7.

    In the Manage IP Addresses dialog box, select the radio button for "Disable" or "Release" depending on your requirement.

  8. 8.

    Click on the "Save" button to apply the changes.

  9. 9.

    Repeat the process for all the EC2 instances that require the public IP address removal.

Once completed, the EC2 instances will no longer have public IP addresses assigned to them, enhancing their security posture.

Additional Considerations

While disabling the public IP addresses for EC2 instances enhances security, it might impact specific use cases where internet connectivity is necessary. It is important to evaluate and review the access requirements for each instance before taking action. Alternative measures such as using a NAT gateway or accessing instances through a bastion host can be implemented to maintain controlled and secure access when needed. Regular monitoring and reviews of security measures are essential to ensure compliance and mitigate threats effectively.

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